Miklagard - Norway

I was lucky enough to play in the Norwegian Challenge pro-am event today at Miklagard, taking place in advance of the latest competition on the European Challenge Tour which starts tomorrow. The Norwegians certainly constructed a monster of a layout when they commissioned this modern golf course - purpose built for national and international golf tournament play - and I can see a lot of traditionalists not taking a shine to a bold and brash young pup that bears little resemblance to any of the highly regarded old Norwegian tracks which have evolved down the years in this part of Scandinavia.

It may also not endear itself to many ordinary, medium to high handicap players as it’s very tough and uncompromising - with a slope rating of 144 from the back markers - which is just what elite golfers require if their superior golfing skills are to be challenged, of course.

It’s evident that a substantial cubic yardage of dirt was moved when sculpting the fairways and greens here and there’s also a fair amount of sand and water to add further difficulty to the task in hand.

Greens (which have an innovative sub-air system installed) were running at a mere 10.7 on the stimpmeter in preparation for the professional tournament when I played and I doff my golfing cap at the top pros who appear to take such slick green speeds in their stride, especially on the undulating, multi-tiered putting surfaces here.

I can’t recommend a visit to play Miklagard for those seeking a typical Norwegian golfing experience - look elsewhere, as there are plenty of those to be found all over the country - but for golfers who want to play an engaging new millennium modern golf track that will test their game to the fullest, it has my wholehearted endorsement.

Just take extra care in choosing the most appropriate tees that will allow you to best tackle this impressive Nordic giant.

Jim McCann

This course is constantly rated as Norway's best of all the big guides - and theres a reason for it. By a margin the best course in Norway. Great design, difficult but fair, very good conditions and great off course facilities. It may not have a scenery too match the qualties of the course, but if you play golf - this is where you should go in the Oslo area. Variety and a great mix of holes and challenges.

This is by many considered to be the best course in Norway. Personally I find it a bit uninspiring, great design and normally in fantastic conditon, however I dont have the same enjoyment from the surroundings as for example when playing Borre or Larvik. Has hosted several European events, and is a great challenge, particularly if you brave it from back tees. Personal favourite on this course is hole 17th. Par 4 350 meters. Teeshot over a hollow, approach uphill to a fairly large green guarded by a large left greenbunker. I really like the way the five fairway bunkers dares you from tee (two arent really in play if you hit a decent drive)

Miklagard was buildt with the best intentions and has the best off course facilities in Norway, by far. But the course is a field in a snow hole. Totally uninteresting as far as design goes. And in poor shape until July every year. Plant a thousand trees and give the course 50 years and you might have a golf course. Today it plays as interesting as a driving range. Hit it where you want and go and hit your next shot. It´s not even the best Trent Jones design in Norway and is nowhere near to hundred in Europe

I have played golf for over 30 years (hcp 3) and have clear thoughts how what is a good course and what is not. Now, Miklagaard is not a bad golfcourse. It is pretty long and not easy to score on. Although still young the conditions are usually very good although prime season in Norway is only from july to september. But having played Falsterbo, Barsebäck, Halmstad, Ljunghusen and some more great courses in Sweden, I can´t understand how Miklagaard can rank this high? To me, it is just not good enough. THe layout is pretty uninteresting, the landscape pretty boring and the logic behind some of the holes makes me wonder if Mr Jones is over the hill. Many of the greens are too undulated and not fair to put on. But on a Norwegian scale, yes the course is good and set for competitions. but on an european scale Miklagaard shouldn´t be in the best 100.